John LEARMONTH {M} [P411] = Christina GUNN {F} [P794]

Married ?? Not Married
John:

Born 18 Feb 1773, Sanday
Christened 18 Feb 1773, Cross, Sanday
Died 15 Dec 1854, Kirkwall
Buried 18 Dec 1854, Kirkwall
Christening witnessed by Archibald Learmonth and Jean Peace.
In the Orkney Archives, Court Record SC11/5/1804/10, Malcolm Laing brought a Summons of Removal which was served on John who was at the time the Miller at Papdale Mill, Kirkwall.
This summons of removal was also served on James Croy and John Linklater who were also tenants in houses at Papdale.
The above continued in record SC11/5/1804/20, in which a summons was served on John by Sheriffs Officer James Petrie, to appear at the Tolbooth in Kirkwall on 4th April 1804.
There is no conclusion of the case recorded on the papers held in the records.

Christina:

A Christina Gunn was also found in the court records taking one William Watt to task, after bearing his child in 1802. She sued him for the costs of looking after his child.
This Christina could be the same person.

William {M} [P741]

Born 5 Jan 1802, Kirkwall
Died 4 Mar 1858, Lythes, Longhope
Buried Osmondwalls Cemetery, Longhope
A census gave his place and date of birth as Kirkwall in 1802. His gravestone says he died 1858 aged 48, but his death registration gives his age as 52 making his DOB 1806. Searched the Kirkwall OPR but not mentioned in it, so it is probable that he was not christened. The death registration is also the source of his finding his parents names. Son Robert was informant.
William was a registered seaman, holding Register Ticket No130225. This registration was inforced in 1845 and gave more information about a seaman than ever before. It had to give date and place of birth, date of first going to sea, capacity served in, whether he had ever served in the Royal Navy, and home address. It also gave a physical description.
William's information was
Capacity Seaman
Height 5' 6½"
Complexion Dark
Marks None
Hair Black
Eyes Brown
First went to sea 1817
Age when ticketed 43
Can write Yes
Date of birth 15th Jan 1802
This DOB ties in when considering the other information, ie first went to sea 1817, he would have been 15, otherwise if he had been born in 1806 he would only have been 11, and it looks like he was registered in 1845 when this was introduced, and giving his age at registration as 43, this matches with an 1802 birth.

This couple were not married, and were mentioned in the St Magnus Cathedral Session Minutes in 1805 as follows.
Compeared Christian Gunn acknowledged that she had brought forth a child, accusing John Learmonth, a married man as the father thereof. Compeared also John Learmonth acknowledged himself guilty of adultery with said Gunn, they were suitably exhorted and summoned to attend next meeting.
Next Meeting
Compeared John Learmonth acknowledged himself guilty of adultery with Christian Gunn ? ? (two words undecipherable) 10th June 1805. He was suitably exhorted, appointed to pay a fine of £1 / 0 to the poor and to appear before the congregation on Sunday first and appoint Christian Gunn to appear at the same time.
2nd December 1805
John Learmonth appears before the congregation, was rebuked and absolved. Christian Gunn did not appear - she was summoned to this ? and compeared and appointed to appear on sabbath first.